Holidays arriving

The sun is high, the river is low - the May holiday is almost upon us and all bodes well.

Except that so many friends are absent - Gert and Elsbeth have gone back to Denmark as have Philp and Lorn; Max has gone off somewhere again, Sophia I think; The Scottish tribe are in Scotland; Ann and Kieran have gone to wherever they go; and so it goes.

Bah.

Saw a couple of goldfinches by the river, the redstarts are back in the garden.

Birdsong makes everything lovely again.

Le Bus Depaysant

 Ate with Claudinne and Jean outside the bus opposite Intermarche last night... a long overdue date as ever since it opened people have been singing its praises. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Being a bit cool here because Jean says I'm over-enthusiastic about everything.... hard for me, I don't have a cool vocabulary :)
My photos of Claudinne were bad - sadly - be assured, she is still beautiful

Nice view of Intermarche??

There was a steady stream of takeaway going on; number 07 84 45 61 04 - 

That which was lost is found

We had got so fond of this little beast! It had bags of character and was affectionate and prone to singing. So it was a sacrifice for me to make flyers, saying that if anyone had lost her to claim her by ringing me.
I was sitting with Kat in the Pont, both of us on the run from paperwork; Erika had kindly corrected my french on the posters. Hadn't even stuck up a single one when my phone rang... it was the police. Someone had come into the police station, asking if anyone had seen their cockatiel. So they rang me. And Kat and I walked round the corner to the police station and there was Melody and her mama, the rightful owners, who were very happy to have their baby back. Sniff.
Of course we are delighted. But, but, but...awwwwwwww

From station to chateau

 TyRex is in for another incarnation  - now as B/Don Quichotte - cute. Cleaned and upspruced. Full report in the fullness.

We were mightily treated to Jamsies cooking last night, blinnies, asparagus and prawn curry. The chateaus' son and heir joined us and was quite entertaining. Jamsie was of course sensational :) Cheers Darling xxxx

Found...

... one young cockatiel. She landed on Paulos head at the parking by Luc's this morning and is now homed at mine with the other parrots. Shes eating and drinking and snoozing, seems fine - though clearly been hand-reared and is no doubt missing her owner.

Entertaining life

 Gave a dinner last night, first for an age - and a hoot it was too. Gert and Elsbeth, Gracie, Max, Fran and Clare shared their good humour and interesting conversation over my surprisingly successful meal. (Duck and foie gras pies - bought in - with new pots and veggie patties: coronation chicken with orange and beetroot salad; mega good cheese; strawberries with mint, pepper and Cointreau.) Wine was consumed in large amounts.
Our friends are amazing :)

Not sure what has caused this curious telegram-ese  script - anyone remember telegrams?- but can't be bothered to find out and correct.

Arts Centre Rue General Ferrie

 Its cracking on! Stuck my nose through the new PVA windows - ugh - and took these snaps.Looks pretty good (except for aforementioned PVA windows...of course replacing the traditional ones is expensive yeah yeah.) Soon we'll stop noticing that they are all over the village and believe they are charmingly original. Yeah.

Weather dull but agreeable. Life is good.

bonnes paques

In an attempt to work off todays excesses l went for an evening totter to recycle the household gumph. The nearest point for recycling is behind the church which is always full and tonight was even more so. Next port of call is Rue des Jardins where the general recycling is generally available - it has a funny flap which must be opened to put the stuff in and its quite high up. Perhaps this explains why it is not overused.
There WAS room - hurrah - and there was Derek, just arrived from Chartres and ready for the challenges of restoring his large river-fronted Esperaza house. He took pity on my state and offered a cup of tea. The universal panacea. It worked.

I got the tour of the 

 lovely house and took this snap of a lime tree on his terrace, which he has been shaping into a giant basket.
 The reason I was frail was that the Rushtons had a lunch party for 14 and it was brill. Lamb and cake. Many friends and two people we hadn't met before who it turns out are near neighbours. Hoping we will meet up soon :)

 Another reason why I'm rather hors  de combat is an excess of chocolate. Here is a large tortured bunny on Derek Hills new book - excellent bunch of analysis of the formal processes of medieval heretic-hunting. 

As if these were not enough reasons to feel dreadful, the day started with a tuba player practising the Marseillaise under my bedroom window. It's the Festival des Hermits. That's the one where people wear bowler hats, white nighties and a black eye - don't ask, if I ever knew I've forgotten - and make a racket with a brass band. Charming. In principle. 

Many thanks to all for making this a memorable Easter. Really enjoyed it all even if I do sound grumpy; just over-stretched and elderly.

temps perdu

Rather got out of the rhythm of blogging, subsequently forgotten whats been going on - but last night stays with me :) Wonderful evening. Here are Gert and Elsbeth who fed us the traditional lamb and an enormous amount of very decent wine. 

                                                

And here also is a picture of the sheep by the river chatting with an interested dog.  

They really were.... I just missed the shot of the nose to nose greeting.

et voila!

Madame en  forme!
Haven't seen Andree for months, what with one thing and another - a treat to see her today, as compos as a mentis can be. She has taken it upon herself to organize the books in her maison de retrait so is now their librarian, kind-of. She sends love to all.

Forgot photos last night, when a group of artists gathered for apero and to continue the development of the Association of the Artists of Esperaza. Kat has managed a stack of the necessary paperwork and the next trick will be to open the bank account and order the membership cards. Marie and Richard and Eva and Bob have their weight behind Kat; I function as an admirer of all, having zero tolerance for organisation.

Forgot photos at lunchtime where Dermot and Kate did us proud with a brilliant lunch ... asparagus, grilled with balsamic and bacon - cor - and lamb sausage and onions and potatoes in pesto, then apple crumble. Rather worrying how I remember menus and though the conversation was enthralling at the time its the nosh that lingers.

Taking of lingering nosh, Angela and mates went to Perception des Saveurs Cathares on Saturday night and gave a full report; they loved it :) My last visit was clearly a glitch in an otherwise very successful restaurant.

AND now pay attention at the back... Peter Dunn, daughter Di and the family of musicians will be playing at 2.00 in the afternoon at the Cafe de Fa on Easter Sunday. Most of us have seen them at various events over the years. And will want to see them again, for sure.
Have fun!

New Enterprise

Richard has taken possession of the Grand Hotel - which is indeed GRAND and will keep him busy for a month or two.

There will be a gallery, studios, apartments; dedicated disability spaces and a disabled lift; plus all the usual offices. There are fantastic views, even on this grey day. Amazing project for him and Eva.

Last nights burning in Paris has oppressed us all - here is a curiosity to lighten the mood.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9bdOBPzUjY

Post Toques et Clochers

Lovely Claudine yesterday. I used Jeans birthday as an excuse to crash in on them round about tea-time... here's Jean, dealing with it.

And today in the market, the harpists were at it again. Despite rather dull weather the musicians in general were out and survivors of the Toques et Clochers swapped notes. Because it was hot yesterday and it was hard to find water, alcohol was taken in quantity. Sometimes, it seems, the results were overwhelming - mostly in the young who are untrained in the local rituals.

Breakfast and recovery

 So... what am I bid for this rare item??

Yesterdays' vernissage distributed these glasses  - with Blanquette in them - and they did do not say, 30 years of the Toques et Clochers, instead they say 29 - Loupia 2018.
We realised they are last years. Last year the Toches et Clochers was cancelled, after the horrendous shooting in Trebes where an heroic policeman offered himself in lieu of the hostages and was subsequently killed.

Quite right to cancel, it would have been most inappropriate.

It's probably time I made the effort to explain the wine event but I'm still weary from last nights' parties. Here at breakfast in le Pont are Angela and her visiting friends from Goldsmiths and environs,  in various stages of recovery. They fish'n'chiped it at the cafe de Fa last night and said it was an experience. Ha! Wait till they see where I'm sending them tonight -

 It is the most beautiful day. If you are thinking of going to the Toques et Clochers better get going- see the link here for the map of the village. As ever, you take the bus or park at Sieur d'Arques in Limoux and are taken there by navette, the roads being closed off.

https://www.sieurdarques.com/site/medias/brochure%20.pdf

great parties

 Kat and Roland were good enough to drive me to the vernissage party at the Toques et Clochers which was a hoot, brill atmosphere of good humour and good blanquette :)

jam packed salle de fete

Yves - the winner :)

Neither Kat nor I won a prize but Yves did - a popular win, as ever (he does win a lot)

 Returning to Esperaza we ambled into the Creperie for their tenth anniversary party. Needless to say, all human life was there. Mountains of food and drink delivered at intervals by Kevin and staff; more power to their varied elbows. They'd set up tents along the car park in front of the Centre Culturel and Alison (from radio Ballade) DJ'd

Antonia and brother plus Chris and  Scottish Dave

Our host Kevin with Norbert

Feel slightly tragic for wimping out early. Knowing when to stop is one of the lessons of age. Alas.

tempo gathers speed

 As the Toques et Clochers approaches, so do our friends... Gert and Elsbeth arrived yesterday, the Scottish Daves are already here, Chris and Max ditto... last night we were catching up in the Creperie. (photos of Max and Dave didn't make it past the censor but here ar Gert, Elsbeth, Chris and El)

I should try explaining the Toques et Clochers one day.

 You may not want to share my dental experience but it is quite funny. At any rate, the dentist thought so.
Picture this, if you will; I'm bravely reclining in a dentists chair with my mouth open, a thing in said mouth and instructions not to move as something sets.

Dentist is at the counter with this back to me, stirring potions. I become aware that my trousers are wet --and discover that I'm lying in an ever-spreading pool of water.
The cup that one uses for rising has overflowed and is merrily leaking into the chair, soaking me in the process.

EEEk eek I squeak. Grunt oooh uuh ho. 'Ne pas bouger' says dentist agreeably. Ekkh. No interest from dentist. I manage to lean over and tap him enthusiastically which at last captures his attention and he immediately sees the problem, on account of the water is now through the chair, through me and on the floor.

Hahaha how he laughed:)
It was pertinent in a way as we had been talking about philosophy and he was claiming to adhere to the idea that the here-and-now is the bestest ever place to be. I pointed out that I was lying in a dentists chair having root canal fillings and I'd been in happier places. So lying in a dentists chair in a pool of cold water did amplify the debate, a bit.

Other than that, it was painless and I recommend him wholeheartedly. Back next week for my Crown Macron.

Tremulous day

 Max hosted dinner last night; it was good and a lot of wine got assessed, in preparation for the Toques et Clochers. The Scottish Daves are in town as is Chris Cunningham and more friends are arriving soon.

Somewhat sombre this morning, not because of a hangover but because I'm about to go to the dentist. Fear has gripped my heart.
The memory of a lovely evening is comforting me.

been busy

In chronological order....the meeting at the MJC to save the train line, which will or will not go ahead according to classic financial principles and not on account of me turning up to a meeting. Yup, I didn't go. I was a Max's party to say goodbye to Andrea. FAR more important.

My new earring. Which is of course my old tooth. A  French friend in the market was very disturbed by it but on the whole its been well-received; a chunk of gold is after all a chunk of gold.

Ha!!! Last night. Sweet Jutta cooked a brilliant meal (fennel and orange salad, lamb, home-made ice cream) Rose, Bob and I had a great time, thank you dear Jutta and Hello Bernht, you are missing all the fun!

Market cold, grey, poorly attended. Here we see the queue for coffee is longer than the queue for cash.

Thence to the church where the 3rd annual harp festival was plucking about. Lots of New Age  equivalents of hey nonnie-nonnie-noe and angst-ridden voices, all very beautiful and we are most fortunate to have such quality performers in our town.

  I have rather a strained relationship with harps because of my schooling. Don't ask. Great excuse to meet up with Claudine though.

Had to leave early because of a commitment to helping Bob and Ian use a high-pressure hose on the parrots cages to give them a spring clean. This involves getting the parrots out of their homes. Rico couldn't work what had happened and paced the floor where his cage had been. Very sad and also terribly funny. He clambered back is as soon as possible whereas Tango, who'd watched the process, was very cool.